VRU to partner with London’s football clubs

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November 3, 2025
3 min read

VRU to partner with London’s football clubs

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will partner with the community foundations of all 17 of the capital’s professional football clubs in a bit to tackle violence and exploitation.

London’s VRU has teamed up with London United, formed of the Club Community Organisation (CCO) of all London clubs. This includes all of London’s Premier League teams, Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Tottenham, and West Ham.

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The announcement was made at an event at Wembley Stadium, with the partnership featuring a “a commitment between the VRU and the capital’s CCOs to work together during a targeted ‘week of opportunity’ for young people every summer.” The Mayor also announced £6 million investment in “targeted and localised prevention programmes,” some of which football club community organisations already work to provide.

In the 12 months to September, there have been 10,000 fewer violence with injury offences recorded, with hospital admissions of under-25s for knife assault also having fallen by 41% since the VRU was set up in 2019.

“Whilst London’s football clubs might be rivals on the pitch, London United joined forces off the pitch more than 11 years ago, recognising the strength of working in unison to support communities by providing safe spaces, youth work and activities for thousands of children and young people,” a press release from City Hall said. “It uses an extensive infrastructure and capacity, plus four decades of frontline experience, to respond to some of the biggest challenges across London.”

Data shows that in 2023/24, nearly £8 million was invested from football club trusts in diversionary activities, targeted prevention, and youth safety sessions. The 16 trusts collectively delivered 100 projects across 31 boroughs, supporting over 30,000 children and young people.

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